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Emergency Response

The District's Emergency Response Section is made up of three Divisions, Training, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Operations.  Emergency Response is the responsibility of the Fire Chief.

The Operations Division is comprised of the Districts emergency response personnel and equipment. The daily emergency response staffing for the entire fire district is up to 30 personnel. This staffing includes 2 Battalion Chiefs, 3 – 4 Person Engine Companies, 2 – 5 Person Rescue Companies and 2 – 2 Person Paramedic Ambulances.

The District provides a full range of emergency responses services including but not limited to, structural fire suppression, wildland fire suppression, response to hazardous materials incidents, water rescue, vehicle extrication, technical rescue as well as basic life support and advanced life support medical services.
Fire District emergency response personnel respond to over 600 incidents annually, of which approximately 408 or 68% are medical in nature, ranging from motor vehicle accidents and elderly falls to childbirths and heart attacks.

Nearly half of Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District personnel are either Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) or Paramedics. EMT's provide Basic Life Support (BLS). EMT's interpret signs and symptoms of injury and disease, and determine the appropriate course of treatment. EMT's are trained to provide Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, administer oxygen, control bleeding, perform spinal immobilization, splint fractures, as well as any rescue functions needed to free a trapped victim. Paramedics provide Advance Life Support (ALS). A Paramedic is an advanced level of EMT certification. Paramedics must complete an extensive training program to enable them to perform specialized skills and procedures. These skills include advanced airway management, including intubations, intravenous therapy, pharmacology and drug administration, cardiac monitoring and defibrillation.

The Districts two ambulances are staffed with one paramedic and one EMT each and respond along with the Chief, Battalion Chief, and an engine company to all medical emergencies.

When a medical emergency is reported via 911, or a request for an ambulance is made, the closest Engine Company is dispatched in conjunction with the JCFPD Ambulances. The intent is to get the closest available resource to the patient as soon as possible, so the appropriate medical treatment can be given.
In addition to our ambulances the District utilizes the services of private air ambulances (helicopters) to transport severely injured or burned patients to the appropriate San Diego County hospitals.

In addition to responding to emergencies the Operations Division responds to customer service calls. When there is no other public agency or private firm willing or available to assist our citizens the JCFPD is available to help. The Operations Division also assists the Greater Julian Fire Safe Council with public education and information programs designed to prepare the citizens of the District for disasters and other emergency incidents. The Operations Division also conducts routine fire inspections on business and new construction in the District.

The Training Division headed by the Training Officer who holds the rank of Captain. The Training Director reports to the Fire Chief.

The training and education of the Districts 65 emergency response personnel in the area of fire suppression and special operations is the responsibility of the Training Division. The Training Officer designs specific fire training and special operations exercises, administers, coordinates and monitors the performance of training programs. The Training Officer also administers and oversees academies, testing, acting engineer and engineer testing and acting Captain testing.

The Training Officer also is responsible for Research and Development programs continually reviewing new equipment and methods of operation.

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division is headed by the Districts EMS Coordinator Karen Keifer who holds the rank of Firefighter/Paramedic. The EMS Coordinator reports directly to the Chief.

To improve the performance and quality of our patient care, the EMS Division utilizes a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). The EMS Committee is comprised of the EMS Coordinator, the Fire Chief, and the Districts Firefighter Paramedics and EMT’s. Together they provide a perspective on patient care issues raised by medical authorities and the District’s own CQI Program. The Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Program identifies weaknesses in the system and recommends changes in training, education and equipment so that all patients receive the highest quality patient care.

The EMS Division utilizes Research and Development committees to examine new medical equipment and evaluate existing medical equipment in an effort to continually improve patient care and employee safety..